The Best Value Rikon 25-200 performs almost as well as the Jet, and produces 12-in.-wide cuts of similar quality. It also has the same size motor and a similar, three-knife cutterhead yet costs about $500 less.

Similar to the Jet, the Rikon’s fence remains on the machine during changeover, but it must be moved to its rearmost position. It’s better than having to remove it altogether, like the Grizzly, but it’s a bit more of a nuisance than the Jet.

The Rikon also has a single-table changeover, but that is because only the jointer’s outfeed table moves. The drawback is that the fixed jointer infeed table covers the outfeed end of the planer, making it difficult to remove short parts after planing. A set of outfeed rollers helps support longer stock.

The Rikon nearly matched the performance of the best machines in the test, and factoring in the cost, it’s an excellent value.

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